Up until 1969, in the last year of primary school, every Scottish child sat what was called the ‘Eleven-Plus’ examination, which determined the secondary school they would attend after the summer holidays. In the 1960s there were four non-denominational secondary schools serving this area: Hamilton Academy & Rutherglen Academy - six-year ‘senior’ secondaries - and Gateside and Gallowflat - three-year ‘junior’ secondaries.

Before 1967 those pupils who achieved the best results in the ‘Eleven-Plus’ were accepted by Hamilton Academy, whereas the others who managed to pass it, went to Rutherglen. However, suddenly Hamilton Academy stopped taking pupils from this area. Therefore, after 1967, no matter how well you did in the Eleven-Plus, you were sent to Rutherglen by default.

Depending on which was nearest their homes, the rest attended either Gateside or Gallowflat. But these being only three-year schools, pupils had to leave at age 15 to either take up trade apprenticeships or continue their studies (usually vocational) at local further education colleges. Many did very well - far better than ‘the academics’ - and today run highly successful businesses.

The last diet of the Eleven-Plus was in summer term 1969 - passes to Rutherglen Academy, fails to Gateside or Gallowflat in the time-honoured way. Then, to herald comprehensive education, in August 1970 the new Cathkin High opened its doors and Rutherglen Academy changed its name to Stonelaw High, which mysteriously became a four-year school taking pupils up to O-Grades only.

Yet, how existing Academy pupils were apportioned is a matter of some controversy.  Please click on...